Steve Bruce 'Pressed' Newcastle to Sign Ross Barkley Before Aston Villa Move
Steve Bruce 'Pressed' Newcastle to Sign Ross Barkley Before Aston Villa Move Ross Barkley ended up joining Aston Villa on a season-long loan | James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images Newcastle head coach Steve Bruce 'pressed' Mike Ashley to facilitate a move to bring Ross Barkley to the club on loan in the summer, only for the owner to say a deal could not be done. Barkley had been deemed surplus to requirements at parent club Chelsea and was looking for a new club in order to find regular, first-team action; news which caught the attention of a number of Premier League sides.
Source: 90min.com